Nigel Owens will referee the opening match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifying cycle on Saturday.

The Welsh whistler took charge of last October’s final at Twickenham when New Zealand beat Australia.

Five months on, Owens will be in the middle when St Vincent and the Grenadines host Jamaica in Kingstown on March 5.

The Carmarthenshire official, 44, said: “It’s honour to be appointed to this important match and I will prepare in the same way as I always do.

Indeed, every time I take the field as a referee it is an honour and even more so when it’s a test match.

“Reffing the Rugby World Cup final was a wonderful experience and one that I will treasure forever but every match is memorable in its own way and I am really looking forward to this next challenge.

“For the players in this match it will be a chance to represent their country on the international stage and be part of the Rugby World Cup process.

“So from my point of view, it is important that I prepare well and perform to the best of my ability. Hopefully, if I do that it will be a good game that allows the players’ talents and hard work to shine through.”

World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “It is fitting that Nigel should referee this match as it creates a sense of continuity and shows how important even the first qualifier is in the entire process.”

Owens follows in the footsteps of South African Craig Joubert, who refereed the RWC 2011 final and then went on to take charge of the first qualifier for 2015 between Mexico and Jamaica in Mexico City.